1

Pain, diarrhea:
The most common symptoms of ibs include diffuse crampy abdominal pain, and constipation or diarrhea or both. There are certain varieties of ibs that can either be pain predominant, contipation predominant, or diarrhea predominant. However, it can certainly be a mix of all these symptoms.
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2

IBS:
In most instances, IBS is a clinical diagnosis and can be diagnosed without a large number of tests. A complete medical history and physical exam is the basis of the diagnosis. That exam will rule out any red flag symptoms which would warrant further testing. In that case, blood tests, stool tests, endoscopy, or x-ray tests of the digestive tract could be necessary. Good luck.
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3

Several:
The first is dietary. See if you can identify any dietary triggers and eliminate them from your diet. Foods containing fermentable oligo, di-, mono saccharides and polyols (FODMAP) could be the culprit. See http://www. Ibsdiets. Org/fodmap-diet/fodmap-food-list/ Your physician may be able to prescribe one of several antispasmodic drugs. Thanks for trusting HealthTap!
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5

Not Life Threatening:
Ibs can be annoying. However, if you can figure out what foods in particular aggravate your ibs, that may make things better. Many people are sensitive to fructose, artificial sweeteners, carbonated beverages, fiber. Keep a food diary and start to see patterns regarding your symptoms and what you ate. Also try separating your meals and your fluid intake.
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6

Yes:
Diarrhea is a frequent symptom of ibs. There are 3 different types of ibs, 1) diarrhea predominant 2) constipation predominant and 3) alternating.However, diarrhea can also be seen in other conditions including celiac sprue, aids and crohns.
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7

Is is IBS?:
Among the most common symptoms of IBS are abdominal pain or cramping, sensation of bloating, gas, diarrhea or constipation with sometimes alternating bouts of each, and mucus in the stool.This may be gas pain. If trial of anti-gas meds fail, seek medical attention. Bleeding with stool, weight loss, and/or progressive abdominal pain requires prompt medical attention.
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9

IBS:
Yes, women are more susceptible to irritable bowel syndrome than men, however no one knows why. There are three types of ibs: predominant diarrheal type, predominant constipational type and a mixture of diarrhea and constipation alternating.
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11

Many causes/ No:
There is no blood test for irritable bowel syndrome. It is a diagnosis made by excluding other serious causes of intestinal disease. You should have a colonoscopy, ct scanning of the abdomen, endoscopy to rule out celiac disease, and certain blood tests to look for autoimmune disorders. In many cases all of these studies will be negative, and irritable bowel syndrome will be the diagnosis. Goo.
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13

Maybe not IBS:
The key to your answer: what symptoms, duration of distress, & recent evaluation. If you are awakening from sleep due to pain, your symptoms don't come & go (are unchanging & ever present or are actually worsening), there's bleeding/fever then it is unlikely you have irritable bowel syndrome. In such a case, further evaluation is warranted rather than you just taking symptom-based medicine.
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16

Diet and fluids:
I rarely prescribe meds for ibs. In my experience teaching people to eat and drink properly resolves most if not all symptoms when the patient is compliant and follows through. Hi fiber, 80-100 ounces non caffeine, non alcoholic beverages each day, regular meal times, excercise. Consistency is the key to being symptom free.
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17

Yes, in part:
Probiotics are often helpful. These are good bacteria, and I usually recommend culturelle brand, which is one capsule daily. If your ibs is diarrhea-predominant, you can try enteric coated peppermint oil capsules, 0.2 ml 3x daily. Turmeric may also help, by decreasing inflammation in the GI tract; take 300-400 mg 3x daily of a standardized extract managing stress and diet are equally important.
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19

Proper diet and flui:
Eat consistently every day both in time and types/quantity of foods, modest amount of fiber in diet, and drinking 80-100 ounces non caffeinated, non alcoholic fluid daily.
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20

Diet and fluids:
And pro-biotics seem to help if patient is compliant. Eat a high fiberdiet, regular meal times and similar portions and drink 80-100 oz of caffeine free, alcohol free fluid daily.
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21

Diet and fluids:
I rarely prescribe meds for ibs. In my experience teaching people to eat and drink properly resolves most if not all symptoms when the patient is compliant and follows through. Hi fiber, 80-100 ounces non caffeine, non alcoholic beverages each day, regular meal times, excercise. Consistency is the key to being symptom free.
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22

Diet and fluids:
I rarely prescribe meds for ibs. In my experience teaching people to eat and drink properly resolves most if not all symptoms when the patient is compliant and follows through. Hi fiber, 80-100 ounces non caffeine, non alcoholic beverages each day, regular meal times, excercise. Consistency is the key to being symptom free.
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23

Anybody:
Anybody. Ibs causes sudden onset diarrhea associated to stress, or to particular foods or beverages. Pts. With IBS may alternate episodes of constipation with episodes of diarrhea. It is very common to have flatulence, crampy abdominal pain. Spastic colon, irritable bowel, nervous stomach are the same. It is associated to anxiety.
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24

No:
Unless ibs diagnosis has been made incorrectly and your symptoms are actually a manifestation of early or precancerousbowel changes. If you have never had a recent colonosocpy, might consider it depending on your age and history.
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26

Is it love or fear?:
Irritable bowel is neither life-threating nor contagious. Most often it is quite manageable and people function well with some periods of "flare-ups" etc. Like many other illnesses. If you love the person, learn about this disease and help him/her cope if symptoms are severe. Mild ibs may not need much at all. So, ibs should not be a reason for or not marrying someone. Best of good luck!
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27

Abdominal Discomfort:
Ibs is a functional disorder affecting how food moves through your GI tract. Lower abdominal pain, cramping, bloating with diarrhea, constipation or both are common signs. It can be triggered by stress/anxiety or different foods. The diagnosis is usually made by ruling out other disorders.
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28

The defintition:
Ibs is a funtional gastrointestinal disorder chracterized by some pain/cramping, altered bowel habits in the absence of specific/unique organic pathology/disease. Other symptoms common to ibs include bloating, gasiness, frequent/urge to have bm, early satiety, dyspepsia symptoms etc... Often = nuisances, but can be debilitating at times. If u r concerned, consult doc. Good luck.
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29

Anybody:
Anybody. Ibs causes sudden onset diarrhea associated to stress, or to particular foods or beverages. Pts. With IBS may alternate episodes of constipation with episodes of diarrhea. It is very common to have flatulence, crampy abdominal pain. Spastic colon, irritable bowel, nervous stomach are the same. It is associated to anxiety.
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30

Yes:
Most experts recommend increasing fiber intake, including the use of fiber supplements. Osmotic laxatives, lubiprostone, and antispasmodic medications are used. Low dose tricyclic antidepressants and ssri medications can also be effective for ibs symptoms. See your doctor for additional help.
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The gastrointestinal tract starts at the mouth, travel down the tunnel (esophagus), which connects to the stomach, which then empties into the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum---the three parts of the small intestine (@25 feet). This empties into the colon or large intestine (about 5 feet), which then becomes the sigmoid colon, rectum and out the anus. So, every morsel eaten goes on long journey.
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